A breezy morning ahead of a full day at Worcester where we have five runners and so all go here. Our Farrier, Nick Partridge, came early to replace a shoe on a horse that had lost it in the field yesterday afternoon and Hannah Ashton, our physio, here for her weekly horse check up.
Dr Dunraven, who has won over fences already this season at Worcester, is our first runner in the 2 mile Handicap Hurdle and seems in good form but will have to be at the top of his game to beat the short priced favourite. He should give our Racing Club another great day out again though after being so consistent over the summer winning twice and being 3rd three times.
We are doubly represented in the following race with Cul De Poule, who was a shock 40-1 Worcester winner last time and seems in good form and Mister Valentine (Harry Stock) who is a lovely big stamp of a horse and jumps hurdles for the first time. He’ll want further at some stage and fences no doubt but it would be good to see him improve significantly on his bumper form.
Our busy day continues as we are then doubly represented in the following race too with HRH The Princess Royal’s Chequered View making her hurdling debut as is John Abernethy’s Hartshorne Abbie. Chequered View was placed in three bumpers last season and ran a solid race at Cheltenham in her final bumper. It’s her seasonal re-appearance and she will want further but can be keen so I’m not worried about her running over her minimum trip today and Richard Johnson will be trying his best to switch her off and get her jumping. Hartshorne Abbie wasn’t right last time and has schooled well at home so we are hoping for a much more promising run from her. Harry Stock rides.